Google Chrome

I just read about Google's new operating system Chrome OS. I'm not sure I completely understand what it is all about, but it seems like it will be a newer and more efficient web browser. Maybe even more than that since it's an operating system as well. It has capabilities that allow you to access your personalized files/apps from any web device (cloud computing). It opens up Excel files on the browser. It integrates Google docs, Gmail, etc. I'm not the most technologically savvy person, so I think I would understand Google Chrome better when it is released in the marketplace and when I can actually use it myself. It is expected to release during next year's holiday season. Basically, it rivals Microsoft's Windows operating system. I'm a fan of Google, so I will be looking forward to hearing more about Google Chrome.

Contact Lenses that Respond to Light

My group and I did our technology pitch on contact lenses that respond to UV light. They are similar to the transition eyewear that has been around for 30 years or so now. The UV responding contact lenses are being researched by The Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology in Singapore and might be on the market in Japan and Korea in one year. I do not wear glasses or contact lenses myself, but I think it would be a great thing to have in order to protect your eyes from the sun. Athletes who prefer to wear contact lenses over glasses would benefit greatly from transition contact lenses. It is hard for football players to wear glasses with their helmets, so most wear contact lenses. The sun can still interfere with the player's game though. But with transition contact lenses, the lense would respond to the UV light within 30 seconds and protect the player's eyes. Anyway, it will be interesting to see how these turn out...

the Droid

So, Verizon's Droid just came out. Looks like it might be a tough competitor for AT&T's iPhone. I read a lot about it, and there are definitely some advantages to the Droid. Personally, I don't know too much about how comparable it is to the iPhone, but from what I've read it seems pretty cool. It has a QWERTY keyboard which is cool, because I'm used to that on my Blackjack II. I've always been weary about typing on the iPhone screen keypad. Apparently you can run up to 6 apps at once...I don't think the iPhone can do that. The Google operating system sounds good. Another major advantage over the iPhone is the Droid status bar. The iPhone has a pop up screen when you receive a message which usually interrupts the current activity. Supposedly, the coverage is better too since it's with Verizon. All in all, it seems like a great phone that may encourage Verizon users to think twice when they want to break their contract and head for AT&T's iPhone. It might even make me consider switching TO Verizon in April, but we will see. One thing I will note, the advertising for the Droid was pretty amazing. I never usually pay attention to all the different new phones that come out, but I did with the Droid. It may not be beneficial in the long run for Verizon though because there was a LOT of iPhone-bashing in their ads. Rumor has it that the iPhone was supposed to become available at Verizon sometime in the near future. Don't know how that partnership will turn out now though...

iPhone

I really want an iPhone. I have AT&T and all, but I am just waiting until I'm up for renewal so I can get an iPhone. I've been reading a lot lately on all the cool apps they have for iPhone. There's one in particular I read about on the MIT Tech Review. It's called Smart.fm, and it's basically a language-learning appplication. It's different from other similar programs or apps because it finds multiple ways to present the info to the user and in what context. It also uses images and sounds which I think are really useful. In my opinion, using images and sounds is more effective because it allows the brain to associate the image or sound directly with the foreign word. The way most learn a language is translating what the image or sound is in english then to the foreign language which is not very efficient. Training the brain to instantly associate the image/sound with the foreign language is much quicker and more helpful to learning the language. Smart.fm also has a social aspect to it. It allows users to add their own lists and comment on other user's list as well. Sounds awesome. Just one more reason why I need to get the iPhone...!